ARLINGTON — Does facing Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Shawn Tolleson in the Arizona Instructional League prepare a hitter to go up against Tampa Bay All-Star left-hander David Price with the season on the line?

The Rangers are about to find out.

They returned outfielder Nelson Cruz to the active roster Sunday moments after his 50-game suspension for the use of performance-enhancing substances expired. Manager Ron Washington declined to reveal his lineup for Monday night’s play-in game against the Rays, but Cruz is expected to be in it.

It makes sense. Without Cruz, Washington was always short a right-handed bat. And Cruz is 9-for-21 with three homers lifetime against Price, the Rays’ starter.

“I think so,” Cruz said when asked if he expects to play. “I’m going to be there. Wherever they need me, I’ll be there.”

Cruz has not faced major league pitching since Aug. 4. He has spent the last two weeks in the instructional league, facing mostly prospect-level pitchers and a few others with limited major league experience and recovering from injuries.

That latter group includes Tolleson, a 25-year-old from Allen who is recovering from back surgery. Tolleson has 41 major league appearances. In a game against the Dodgers, Cruz also faced power-armed left-hander Jarret Martin, who had 106 strikeouts in 961/3 innings at the Class A and Double-A levels this season.

Cruz went 9-for-27 with six extra-base hits, including one homer and nine RBIs against the instructional leaguers. He said there were a lot of mid-90 mph fastballs but none of the breaking pitches that distinguish major leaguers.

According to general manager Jon Daniels, the instructional league staff said Cruz’ at-bats improved with time. In the last week, Cruz was “swinging pretty well,” Daniels said.

Detroit also sent a suspended player, infielder-turned-outfielder Jhonny Peralta, to the instructional league to get at-bats. Peralta played in the final three regular-season games and went 3-for-12. That included three at-bats against Miami’s Henderson Alvarez, who pitched a no-hitter in the season finale.

Daniels declined to commit to having Cruz on the 25-man roster if the Rangers move into the playoffs. Because the play-in game is considered part of the regular season, each club can have 40 players.

Cruz believes he is ready for the return to the highest level of competition.

“An important game like tomorrow, it’s one of those games you always dream of,” Cruz said. “It will be special to be back.”

A year ago, San Francisco did not bring back outfielder Melky Cabrera when his suspension ended. The Giants won the World Series without Cabrera, but the Rangers never considered banning Cruz.

Daniels said the club decided to activate Cruz after watching how he handled himself during the suspension. The club weighed the response of teammates and the ticket-buying public. The Rangers also took into account the goodwill Cruz has generated during a long stay with the club.

“He served his penalty, and in effect, we did as well,” Daniels said. “It’s a completely different situation than what the Giants were faced with, namely because Nellie has been here with the organization since ’06.”

The response of teammates was vital to the Rangers’ decision. Cabrera was in his first and only season with San Francisco, and teammates felt he had betrayed them with his actions. Cruz’s teammates took a different position. They have been conciliatory toward Cruz since the day the suspension was issued.

“He’s been playing here six years,” third baseman Adrian Beltre said. “You’re asking what he can do for the team? He’s been playing in Arizona, so he’s ready. I hope he’s ready.”

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